Kreg push stick...WARNING

[John Coloccia]

I have the push stick with the ruler and magnet built in. Many people will buy this because it is much thinner than other push shoes out there. Beware: if you're using it to rip thin stock, pop out the magnet. I'm in the habit of doing a "test run" before I do what I consider to be a challenging cut (i.e. anything that gets me within an inch of the blade). It's just a habit so that I'm sure everything's set right, and everything will fit the way I want it to. When I did it with the Kreig, the magnet unexpectedly drew the push stick right into the blade. Woops.

Consider popping the magnet out if you're doing really thin cuts. At least be aware that it can bite you unexpectedly, and be prepared for it.

[mickey cassiba]

Really...a magnet on a push stick?

[Gary Breckenridge]

Let's see if I have this correct, a magnet on the end of a push stick that goes real close to a high rpm steel table saw blade. There might be a problem but I can't quite put my finger on it.

[Michael Schwartz]

I make my own sacrificial push sticks that I can run over the blade if I need to. I usualy make a bunch at a time from a template so when they get chewed up I toss them and grab another.

[Dean Karavite]

The magnet does not make any sense. I'm sure Kreg will have some kind of explanation, but they didn't think it through.

I'm doing all my thin strips on the other side of the fence and the blade with this cheap little jig and it is a lot easier and seems much safer. I got it on sale for $15, but at 20ish it is still a very useful tool.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...56&filter=thin

[Mike Heidrick]

Not sure how that magnet could bring the push stick into the blade if your blade height was set correctly?

[JohnT Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Gary Breckenridge

Let's see if I have this correct, a magnet on the end of a push stick that goes real close to a high rpm steel table saw blade. There might be a problem but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Let's hope that you DON'T put your finger on it!

[Richard Wolf]

Here is a link to the push stick. That must be a very strong magnet.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...r=push%20stick

Richard

[John Coloccia]

re: why is the magnet there
They were thinking that you'd slap it on the side of your saw for storage

re: mag can't get into the fence if the height is set right
The magnet's only an inch or two from the table. If you're cutting 1" planks, for example, the blade is most definitely high enough to attract it.

Anyhow, if you own this push stick it's easy enough to try for yourself and see how powerful the magnet is. If it doesn't bother you, great. If it does, pop it out and move on. When I did my test run, I wasn't expecting it at all, and it took me by surprise. I decided to pop it out as a precaution so I never had to think about it again.

[John Coloccia]

Originally Posted by Richard Wolf

Here is a link to the push stick. That must be a very strong magnet.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...r=push%20stick

Richard

Actually, this is the one I'm talking about.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...20push%20stick

[Steve Clardy]

Yep. I can see why now. That type of push handle is nice, but I would leave the magnet out for sure.

I have this one. Magnetic is way up on the handle.

Well I can't find it on Rockler's site now.

It's like the one Richard posted, but the stick portion is aluminum, not plastic.

[Richard Wolf]

Originally Posted by John Coloccia

Actually, this is the one I'm talking about.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...20push%20stick

That makes it a lot more understandable. I can see how that could be a problem.

Richard

[Dave Lehnert]

Originally Posted by Mike Heidrick

Not sure how that magnet could bring the push stick into the blade if your blade height was set correctly?

I with Mike on this one.

[Henry Ambrose]

Folks with wood shops and they're buying plastic push sticks?

[Harlan Coverdale]

Good that you did the test run first. Another reason why I prefer push blocks like the Grripper.